Author: Kaluka wanjala

BuuPass has finalised the acquisition of Quickbus, a significant player in the bus ticketing service sector in Nigeria and South Africa. BuuPass is a B2B2C mobility marketplace that enables users to search, compare, and book their tickets through the Buupass website, the Buupass app (available on Apple and Android) and a USSD system that can be used on any mobile phone. Founded in 2016, BuuPass has sold over 6 million travel tickets and generated over $100 million in total value of goods sold. Its current platform has already served over 16 million passengers Commenting on the acquisition, Eunice Wambui, Investment Principal at…

Google has opened applications for the 8th cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program.With this cohort, Google is specifically targeting startups that are harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to address challenges and unlock opportunities across Africa. Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is a three-month virtual program offering equity-free support to African startups. The startups will be paired with Google and industry experts to solve their startup’s top challenges, and are provided with insights and best practices to improve their product and business. The program includes mentorship, technical resources, and access to a…

LG Electronics (LG) is pleased to announce that LG Smart TVs, including the OLED and QNED models, will, starting this week, support Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos1 from Apple Music, becoming the first smart TVs to have the feature, which delivers an immersive music experience to users who enjoy streaming music. To celebrate this milestone, LG is offering three months of Apple Music free to LG Smart TV users worldwide.2 The three-month free trial is available within the Apple Music app of compatible LG Smart TVs (2018 models and later) running webOS 4.0 and higher, as well as lifestyle screen models StanbyME, StanbyME…

Mitsumi Distribution has partnered with Dell Technologies to host innovative workshops that will focuses on Artificial Intelligence and its applications particularly within the healthcare industry.  Mr. Arshad Farhad, the Chief Technology Officer overseeing Dell Technologies’ Healthcare & Lifesciences sector in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, while addressing key stakeholders within the health sector during the inaugural workshop this week, disclosed a range of AI technologies, with a focus on Generative Artificial Intelligence. He highlighted the essential skill sets needed, privacy concerns, and underscored the transformative impact these technologies could have on Kenya’s healthcare system and across Africa. “The purpose of…

LG Showcase MEA 2024 recently welcomed guests and partners in Abu Dhabi to in-person experience the latest and greatest the brand has to offer. The two-day event held at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE had over 500 guests who witnessed all of LG Electronics’ new innovations that will be rolled out in the region. The LG Showcase, returning after a successful event last year, created a common platform for experiencing LG Electronics’ unique customer focused innovations and reaffirms the company’s vision to bring innovative products to the market that enhances the customer’s overall experience. The…

Renda, a Nigerian technology solution that simplifies order fulfillment and retail distribution for businesses in Africa, has announced the close of a its pre-seed round at $1.9m in equity and debt funding. The equity investment of $1.3m was led by Ingressive Capital, with participation from Techstars Toronto, Founders Factory Africa, Magic Fund, Golden Palm Investments, Reflect Ventures, and Vastly Valuable Ventures. The debt round of 600k was provided by Founders Factory Africa and SeedFi. Renda will use the funding to enhance its offerings and expand to more cities in Nigeria and in East Africa. It will also use it to…

Summary Yellow Card’s subsidiary in Poland has obtained its Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license from the Polish Register of Activities in the Scope of Virtual Currencies, maintained by the Polish Ministry of Finance. The Company is now also registered for AML data and financial crime reporting purposes with Poland’s General Inspector for Financial Information. Chris Maurice, Yellow Card’s co-founder and CEO, stated, “We are pleased to have completed the VASP registration process in Poland, which represents our first VASP registration outside of Africa. This license really speaks to our world-class compliance and legal functions that work tirelessly to make…

 NTT DATA is urging both private and public institutions across East Africa to reassess their cybersecurity strategies in response to the escalating influence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) and its associated risks of misuse. Highlighting the transformative potential of Gen-AI alongside its accompanying ethical dilemmas and cyber threats, NTT DATA East Africa General Manager of Managed Services, Peter Gitonga, emphasized the necessity for specialized knowledge and expertise in addressing concerns such as intellectual property, privacy breaches, misinformation, data integrity, lack of control, and integration complexities. According to data from the Communication Authority of Kenya (CA), there has been a more…

tappi has announced the signing of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). Titled the “Sukuma Biz” initiative, the new partnership will enable tappi to deliver a unique package of digital services specifically geared towards bolstering online credibility and identity for KNCCI’s 30,000+ business members. With an additional focus on women-led businesses, the programme marks the next phase of the startup’s mission to drive online success for Kenya’s 7.4mn MSMEs. For a monthly fee of Ksh.500 ($3.70), KNCCI members will receive their own business landing page on tappi’s platform featuring a KNCCI…

Saad Kassis Mohamed, leading WeCare, proudly announces a milestone achievement with the successful raise of $350,000 dedicated to accelerating innovation in the lab- grown diamond sector. This significant funding marks a pivotal moment in the foundation’s commitment to fostering sustainability and advancement within the industry.  Building upon the success of pioneering funding models in natural diamonds and coloured gemstones, Saad Kassis Mohamed spearheads WeCare’s latest initiative aimed at bolstering research and development in lab-grown diamonds. Through strategic collaborations with esteemed research institutions and industry leaders, this innovative funding model is meticulously tailored to empower emerging researchers, startups, and mid-sized players…